Most Influential Thrash Metal Bands
After the legendary Heavy Metal bands like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden etc defined and popularized the genre in 70's, Thrash Metal was innovated in early 80's mostly influenced by NWOBHM.This is a list containing the most influential Thrash Metal bands to define the genre and to influence other bands.
Metallica is an American Heavy/Thrash Metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman"... read more You could argue validly that Megadeth has been a better band for longer, and I would agree with that. But, dang, Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets have more great (not good, but great) songs than Megadeth's entire song list.
That's not taking anything away from Megadeth. I love their music. For the entirety of the '80s and you could argue the early '90s, Metallica was the band. Their first four albums were in a different universe.
If the question was who is the better band overall, I might go with Megadeth in a toss-up. But the question was who was more influential? The answer to that is clearly Metallica simply because of their first four albums.
Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Megadeth was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine was fired from Metallica. They have released 15 studio albums to date, and have gone through many lineup changes, with Dave... read more Without Megadeth, there wouldn't be '90s Pantera, and without '90s Pantera, God only knows how the genre would look today.
Don't get me wrong, I voted for Slayer too. I think that those two bands deserve the top two spots on this list. Metallica is successful, but by turning away from thrash to a more pop-oriented sound, their impact on developing the genre is not as big as people might think.
Metallica's debut album has tracks written by Dave Mustaine, the god of metal. So obviously Kill 'Em All is good, but consider that Megadeth is way superior. They're just another level of thrash metal. No other band can probably come close to them. Definitely not Metallica, the most overrated metal band in the world.
Slayer was an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. They rose to fame with their 1986 album Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the big four of thrash metal bands, the others being Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax... read more Seriously, why is Megadeth above Slayer!? This is a list for influence, not best overall. Slayer has influenced all of extreme metal. Metallica is definitely the most successful metal band, so they make a case for influence. However, Megadeth, no matter how good they are, is nothing more than Metallica's violent offspring. Rust in Peace is the best album of all time, though.
Slayer made a change with Chemical Warfare. It's up to the fans to put them in the right place. Nobody invented thrash metal. All the underground bands made it! The most influential band is clear. Everyone wants the place of Megadeth, but nobody can play like them, so all want to be the next Slayer. That is real influence!
Kreator is a German thrash metal band from Essen. Their style of music is similar to that of their compatriots Destruction, Sodom and Tankard; along with those three bands, Kreator has been referred to as one of the "big four" of Teutonic thrash metal, and they are often credited with helping pioneer... read more Kreator is pure thrash. I do not consider Metallica thrash metal except for a few songs. Sorry, they do not belong on this list. Their thrash songs are not good either. Kreator rules! Go to the concert and feel the energy.
The king of the kings of Teutonic thrash metal, along with Sodom and Destruction. Just listen to their album Pleasure to Kill, and you will become a fan of this awesome band!
The vocals of death metal come from Mille's voice.
Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. They moved away from the aggression and brutality and tried to be different. It's amazing how fast they shred! Joey is one of the greatest vocalists ever! And Charlie is the one who invented the blast beats. Anthrax are the ones who came up with the term thrash metal.
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of 37 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Why do Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax get more attention while Exodus doesn't? Come on, not only did Exodus do a lot for thrash metal in the '80s, but they reign as the ultimate thrash metal band of all time.
Exodus was influential on the early death metal scene. Possessed cited them as an influence, and Jeff used high-pitched screams in the Seven Churches LP.
I like this band. Awesome work. Gary Holt is the heart of this band. Bonded by Blood is the best album they have given us.
Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band consists of vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve DiGiorgio and drummer Gene Hoglan. In my opinion, Testament is the uncrowned kings of thrash. With ferocious textbook-style rhythms, face-melting guitar solos, and the greatest thrash power ballads to demonstrate versatility, they've remained my favorite thrash metal band ever.
Chuck Billy's vocals alone ooze thrash metal with his low-range melodic style and baritone roars. The band has consistently stayed true to the genre. Metallica is great but has experienced too much outside of the genre to be considered. Bands like Slayer, Kreator, Sodom, and Sepultura are more borderline speed metal than true thrash.
An argument could be made for Megadeth, Overkill, Exodus, and Anthrax. However, Testament's consistency, dedication to staying true to the genre, and Chuck's thrash vocal work really seal the deal as far as I'm concerned.
Venom are an English extreme metal band formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the new wave of British heavy metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell and Black Metal—are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general. Apart from the fact that Venom basically created thrash metal, every band on this list was influenced by them. Most of the artists influenced by members of this particular list also list Venom. It's only logical that they were the most influential thrash band (and possibly heavy metal band) of the '80s.
I laugh at the people who believe Slayer created death metal. Slayer's first material to be considered similar to death metal was "Reign in Blood" (1986), more than two years after death metal's creation (Mantas "Death by Metal" (1984) and Possessed "Death Metal" (1984)).
Also, I'll point out that both Death and Possessed denied that Slayer were one of their influences, whereas both bands credited Venom as their major influence.
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte. Their first album, Morbid Visions presented a proto-black metal sound with Wagner Lamounier of Sarcófago. Sepultura's sound varies by the album, from thrash metal, groove metal, and even death metal. A talented Brazilian band, but they sold out. It is a shame that they do not make albums like Morbid Visions, Schizophrenia, Beneath the Remains, Arise, Chaos A.D. or Roots anymore!
Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. A real force that pushed thrash metal to its highlight and peak of popularity. If there wasn't Overkill, there probably wouldn't be the Big Four. Bobby Blitz is just awesome, and his vocals are great.
The first real thrash metal band (yes, even older than Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, and Anthrax) and maybe because of that, they never left the genre, dwelling amidst a lot of variations of it throughout the decades.
These guys formed in 1981 and have always stayed consistent. Awesome band.
Sodom is a German thrash metal band from Gelsenkirchen, formed in 1981. They have gone through many line-up changes, leaving bassist vocalist Tom Angelripper as the only constant member. One of the hardest thrash metal bands of all time. When I first heard them back in 1987 (God, I'm old), they blew me away! I can't believe they are classed in the same genre as Metallica (even though I'm a fan). Persecution Mania is pure genius.
Sodom is very good, older, and harder than Megadeth. Megadeth is good too.
Annihilator is a Canadian thrash metal band founded in 1984 by vocalist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, engineer, producer, mixer and mastering engineer Jeff Waters and former vocalist John Bates. They were very influential because their colleagues from the thrash genre listened to them carefully and learned certain things from them. Annihilator is known for its fast and technical riffs and solos, because Jeff Waters is a guitar god.
I read somewhere that Annihilator's debut album Alice In Hell (1989) influenced Megadeth's Rust In Peace (1990). Annihilator just set the bar higher in certain areas, and almost all thrash bands became more technical and sophisticated.
One of the pioneers of technical thrash, they've been putting out great albums for 25 years.
Pantera was an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul. The band started out as a glam metal act in the 1980s with little success. After discarding their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, the band signed a major record deal with... read more In some alternate universe, Pantera never made Cowboys from Hell and just stayed with hair metal. That's a god-awful thought.
The pioneers of groove-oriented thrash metal, Pantera has influenced the NWOAHM movement directly.
Dark Angel is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1981. Their over-the-top style (extremely fast, heavy and lengthy songs with lots of tempo changes, lyrics and extended instrumental parts) earned them the nickname "the L.A. Caffeine Machine". Although Dark Angel had... read more Darkness Descends is the most violent and aggressive thrash metal album ever written. It's like Reign in Blood pushed even further, honestly.
Destruction is a German thrash metal band. They are considered one of the "The Big Four" of the German thrash metal scene, the others being Kreator, Sodom and Tankard.
Nuclear Assault is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed after bassist Dan Lilker left Anthrax in 1984. After releasing five full-length albums and touring relentlessly throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Nuclear Assault split up in 1995. They briefly reunited in 1997 and again... read more
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by vocalist and guitarist Robb Flynn and bassist Adam Duce. They have received great critical success especially for their album "The Blackening" which is considered a modern metal... read more They took thrash metal to a new level. The lyrics are thought-provoking, the sound has intense energy, Rob Flynn is a great singer and showman, and the band members are creative, fluid, and technically tight.
Havok is an American thrash metal band from Denver, Colorado. Formed in 2004, their members currently consist of David Sanchez, Nick Schendzielos, Pete Webber, and Reece Scruggs.
Possessed is an American thrash/death metal band, originally formed in 1983 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Noted for their fast style of playing and Jeff Becerra's guttural vocals, they are routinely called the first band in the death metal genre. Possessed is the sometimes credited with being the first... read more The first death thrash metal record in history is Seven Churches, the first record of this legend. Experimental thrash, nothing matches Beyond the Gates. They only need one song to freeze a generation: Eyes of Horror.
The most anticipated record in history was Revelations of Oblivion. All of us felt the shiver down the spine at the first hearing. That is a real legend band!
This list is made of fanatical kids who do not know the true roots of thrash or metal. Possessed is the root of practically everything! Even now, in 2016, there is no record or band that matches the ghastly sound and the cacophony in their riffs. Possessed is the alma mater of thrash and death metal.
Anvil are a Canadian heavy metal band from Toronto, Ontario, formed in 1978. The band consists of Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Robb Reiner and Chris Robertson.
Death Angel is an American thrash metal band from Daly City, California, initially active from 1982 to 1991 and again since 2001. Death Angel has released seven studio albums, two demo tapes, one box set and two live albums.
Gwar, often styled as GWAR, is an American heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984, composed of and operated by a frequently rotating line-up of musicians, artists and filmmakers collectively known as Slave Pit Inc.
Evile are an English thrash metal band from Huddersfield, formed in 2004. The band's debut album, Enter the Grave, was produced by Flemming Rasmussen at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark and was released worldwide in 2007 by Earache Records to critical acclaim by fans and critics alike.
D.R.I. is an American crossover thrash band that formed in Houston, Texas in 1982. As of 2015, the band comprises two of its founding members, vocalist Kurt Brecht and guitarist Spike Cassidy, as well as drummer Walter "Monsta" Ryan and bassist Harald Oimoen.
Tankard is a thrash metal band from Frankfurt am Main, Germany, founded in 1982. Along with the bands Kreator, Destruction and Sodom, Tankard is often considered one of the "The Big Teutonic Four" of Teutonic thrash metal.